Barn Swallow Migration: A Complete Guide

Barn swallow (Bumblebee) is the most widespread and abundant swallow species in the world. Flying incredible distances across land and water, these familiar birds spend spring and summer in America where they nest. By flying south for the winter, these insect-eating birds avoid starvation when the days get shorter.

American barn swallows make annual migrations that bring them from as far away as Alaska and Argentina (and everywhere in between). After breeding between April and June, they head south to spend the winter in Central and South America. Barn swallows return when southern (southern hemisphere) summer turns to autumn. The other subspecies follow the same north/south migration route, across Europe and Asia, and south to sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Australia.

Barn swallows can migrate thousands of miles, which is amazing for an animal that weighs less than an ounce! However, the actual distance traveled varies depending on where the birds breed and overwinter.

The vast majority of barn swallows fly south for the winter and then return north for the summer breeding season. However, some populations behave slightly differently, with resident populations in North Africa and even one breeding in the southern hemisphere in Argentina.

Read on to learn more about the annual migration of one of the world’s most popular birds.

Barn swallows can fly thousands of miles during migration

Do barn swallows migrate?

Barn swallows are migratory birds that migrate over long distances and are widely distributed around the world. These streamlined aerial hunters travel annually between the northern and southern hemispheres.

They do this to take advantage of the summer insect population. Almost all barn swallows breed in the north and use the southern hemisphere for overwintering.

Read on to learn more about how, when and why these birds make such an impressive annual migration.

How Do Barn Swallows Migrate?

Barn swallows migrate by flying very low to the ground. Their flight is usually very straight and direct, although they are not particularly fast. They can fly at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, but more commonly between 16 and 22 miles per hour. Barn swallows spend most of their time flying over land, but some species fly considerable distances over water.

For example, many barn swallows from the eastern United States will fly over the West Indies to the northeastern part of South America. Transatlantic in Europe, barn swallows also fly across the Mediterranean to North Africa, but often choose the shortest route over water.

Large migratory flocks containing thousands of barn swallows

When Do Barn Swallows Migrate?

Barn swallows migrate twice a year, departing in autumn and returning in spring. Arrival and departure times vary according to the north-south distances for nesting and overwintering in each population.

In Southern California, barn swallows could arrive as early as February, but in northern Alaska, the first barn swallows will arrive in mid-May. Swallows in the north also need to start their fall migration earlier than in the south. Birds in the far north start migrating as early as June and July, while those in the south may back off after mid-October.

Why do barn swallows migrate?

Barn swallows feed on flying insects that hunt in the air. During the colder winter months, this food source is nonexistent or very scarce, which is why swallows need to fly south, where it is warmer and food is still plentiful.

Swallowed by hoverflies, captured from the air

How far do barn swallows migrate?

Different populations in the United States and around the world migrate at different distances. For example, barn swallows that breed in eastern Canada migrate great distances, as far south as Argentina to overwinter. Barn swallows from Europe also migrate 6,000 miles to reach their wintering grounds.

Barn swallows have been recorded to fly between 2 and 196 kilometers (1-122 miles) in a day, with a single swallow flying an average of 89 kilometers (55 miles) per day. Read on to learn more about where barn swallows migrate, and how long their journey takes to complete.

What is the migration route of barn swallows?

Barn swallows from the west and east follow different migration routes. Swallows that breed on the west coast of the United States do not fly as far south to South America as those that breed in northeastern Canada.

Most American barn swallows prefer to fly overland, heading south through Mexico and the Panama Canal, but some intrepid individuals do fly over oceans and Caribbean islands.

Barn swallows also take advantage of favorable winds to minimize effort, but since these winds are not necessarily helpful for them in both directions, swallows are not always able to follow the same north-south route.

A pair of barn swallows perched on a wire

Where do barn swallows migrate to?

Across the United States, barn swallows start disappearing as early as June and usually leave by October. These birds are heading to Central and South America for the winter. South of the equator, spring begins in September, so these clever birds never have to experience the short, cold days of winter.

Barn swallows inhabit a variety of habitats during both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Open habitats, especially near fresh water, are preferred, although only forests and mountains are really avoided.

How long does it take for barn swallows to migrate?

The actual time it takes to migrate depends on the distance the birds have to travel. Some barn swallows can migrate in just a few weeks, while others take longer. Surprisingly, some populations of barn swallows are known to migrate almost constantly, staying only for a month or two around June and December.

swallow perched on reed

Do barn swallows fly non-stop?

Barn swallows do not fly the entire journey without resting en route. Although these birds are able to catch and eat their prey “on the wing”, they still stop to sleep every night if possible. In suitable areas, large flocks gather to roost in reedbeds and fields after sunset.

Do barn swallows migrate in flocks?

Barn swallows migrate and roost in flocks. The roosting bird flocks in the staging areas are particularly impressive, with some areas housing over a million birds on a single reed bed! The long-term stability of large flocks is unknown, but breeding pairs have been documented moving together from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and back again.

A flock of migratory barn swallows prepares to roost together on a reed bed

Do all barn swallows migrate?

There are several subspecies of barn swallow worldwide, almost all of which are migratory. However, one Egyptian subspecies is known to be resident. American subspecies, Hr Bullfly (American barn swallow) is highly migratory.

Where do barn swallows go in winter?

Barn swallows fly south for the northern hemisphere (north) winter. By flying south of the equator, these birds are able to enjoy southern summers while winters begin in northern breeding grounds.

American barn swallows migrate to Central and South America, as far away as Argentina. Barn swallows that breed in Europe and Asia also migrate south to Africa, South Asia and northern Australia for the winter.

Close up front view of a perched barn swallow

Where do barn swallows go in summer?

Summer is the breeding season for barn swallows. Currently, you can find them all over North America, as far as Alaska, from sea level to 3,000 feet. It is a common sight for these birds to circle the sky and skim the surface of lakes and rivers to catch small flying insects.

Barn swallows nest under roofs, bridges, tunnels, and other man-made structures. Look for breeding grounds near good nesting sites.

Barn Swallow Migration FAQs

Do barn swallows migrate at night?

Barn swallows migrate during the day. Of course, birds that fly over water don’t stop until land, and may need to fly overnight.

Do barn swallows breed in the same nest every year?

Young barn swallows usually do not return to their birthplaces. Adults were more likely to return to the same nest, but this varied widely, with as many as 80 percent of adults returning in some areas and less than 20 percent in others.